What if acting is not just for the stage, but a powerful tool for navigating real life?

In this episode of Above the Legal Limit, Justin Chopin sits down with Anthony Bean, founder and artistic director of the Anthony Bean Community Theatre and Acting School, to explore how theater develops empathy, emotional awareness, creativity, and stronger communication.

Anthony explains why acting begins with understanding yourself: your emotions, your motivations, and the human experience you share with other people. That work does more than create stronger performers. It can help lawyers avoid sounding rehearsed in the courtroom, give leaders and speakers a more authentic presence, and help children build emotional range, discipline, confidence, and empathy.

Justin and Anthony also discuss the connection between acting and the practice of law, why a suit can become a kind of costume, the difference between performance and authenticity, and how protecting your peace can sustain creativity. Anthony shares the role theater can play in helping young people become more thoughtful, expressive, and connected human beings.

In this episode, we cover:

•Why acting is a practical tool for everyday life

•How theater teaches empathy and emotional intelligence

•What lawyers, leaders, speakers, and preachers can learn from acting

•Why authentic communication matters more than sounding rehearsed

•The relationship between creativity, peace of mind, and self-awareness

•How theater helps young people build confidence, discipline, and emotional range

•Anthony Bean’s work with the Anthony Bean Community Theatre and Acting School

Learn more about Anthony Bean’s programs at https://anthonybeantheater.com/

Subscribe to Above the Legal Limit for more conversations on law, business, leadership, creativity, and the work of building a meaningful life.

What should you REALLY know before trusting someone with your personal injury claim?

In this After 5 AMA episode of Above The Legal Limit, Justin Chopin pours a glass of Hibiki Japanese whisky and answers some of the questions people don't always know to ask after an accident.

From recognizing attorney red flags and questionable tactics to understanding whether you can fire your lawyer and why you should think twice before relying solely on the insurance company's doctor, nothing is off the table.

Justin breaks down the realities of personal injury claims, the attorney-client relationship, and what injured people should know when dealing with lawyers, doctors, and insurance companies.

No scripts. No complicated legal jargon. Just candid answers to real legal questions—After 5. 🥃

What changes when you stop thinking like a practitioner and start leading like a business owner?

In this episode of Above the Legal Limit, Justin Chopin sits down with Troy Henry, managing partner of Henry Consulting, to unpack what leadership really looks like when the most important decisions ultimately land on your desk.

Troy shares his path from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, the lessons he learned building and diversifying a portfolio of businesses, and why the owner’s role is often that of the chief problem solver. Together, Justin and Troy discuss the shift from doing the work yourself to building a team that can solve the right problems—and knowing when a decision still has to be yours alone.

They also explore why meaningful growth rarely comes from taking the safe path, how to distinguish calculated risk from reckless risk, and why vision, conviction, and disciplined execution matter when turning ambitious ideas into reality. The conversation also touches on Troy’s work in New Orleans, including the Bayou Phoenix project and the opportunity to create long-term economic growth through transformative development.

In this episode, we cover:

•The transition from practitioner to business owner

•Why the owner becomes the ultimate decision-maker

•How to empower a team without outsourcing leadership

•Calculated risk, measured execution, and the trap of the safe path

•Troy’s journey from corporate leadership to building multiple businesses

•Why clear vision is essential to transformative growth

•The Bayou Phoenix project and the future of New Orleans East

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe for more candid discussions on business, law, leadership, and the work of building something that lasts.

What if homelessness isn't the problem—but the systems surrounding it are?

In this episode of Above The Legal Limit, Justin Chopin sits down with Mayté Hernandez, Director of Case Management Services at the Traveler's Aid Society of Greater New Orleans, for an honest conversation about one of today's most misunderstood issues.

Together, they discuss:

Why homelessness is often misunderstood

The reality of urban encampments

The impact of laws that criminalize homelessness

The barriers people face when trying to rebuild their lives

Why the Housing First approach has proven effective in helping people achieve long-term housing stability

How individuals and organizations can make a meaningful difference

This conversation challenges common assumptions and offers a deeper look at the human stories behind the headlines.

If you care about your community and want to better understand the issues surrounding homelessness, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Learn More About Traveler's Aid Society of Greater New Orleans

🌐 Website: https://travelersaidsocietyneworleans.org/

What does success really look like?

Is it the title on your business card, the milestones on your résumé, or the life you're building beyond your career?In this episode of Above the Legal Limit, host Justin Chopin sits down with relationship strategist Tressa Yonekawa for an honest conversation about ambition, identity, and finding balance in a world that often measures success by professional achievements alone.

Together, they explore:

* How to avoid tying your entire identity to your career

* Why meaningful relationships are essential to long-term success

* The importance of defining success on your own terms

* Building a life that's fulfilling both personally and professionally

Whether you're an attorney, entrepreneur, or business leader, this episode offers valuable insights on creating a legacy that extends far beyond your job title.

100 Episodes. One Unfiltered Conversation.

We’re celebrating the 100th episode of Above The Legal Limit: After 5 PM with a conversation unlike any we've had before.

Justin Chopin sits down with "The Bubbly Lawyer," Mary Smith, for an honest, entertaining look at the stories, challenges, and unexpected moments that happen behind the scenes of legal practice.

From navigating an international credit card crisis to the reality of clients whose actions don't always match their injury claims, no topic is off limits. It's funny, candid, and full of the kinds of stories you won't hear anywhere else.

If you think the legal world is all serious courtrooms and paperwork, this episode is here to change your mind.

🥂 Grab your favorite drink and join us as we celebrate this incredible milestone.

🎧 Watch now and help us celebrate 100 episodes of Above The Legal Limit!

What do the courtroom and the soccer pitch have in common?

More than you might think.

In this episode of Above the Legal Limit, host Justin Chopin sits down with attorney and soccer referee Michael Pinkerton for a conversation about leadership, decision-making, and the surprising similarities between practicing law and officiating one of the world's most popular sports.

Together, they discuss:

- Why so many attorneys become soccer referees

- The unique challenges of officiating high-level matches

- The "Laws of the Game" and how they compare to the practice of law

- Team USA's rise on the world stage and the future of American soccer

- Lessons in communication, leadership, and staying composed under pressure

Whether you're a soccer fan, attorney, entrepreneur, or simply enjoy thoughtful conversations about leadership and competition, this episode offers insights both on and off the field.

Stop wasting money on junk leads and vanity metrics. If you're a business owner or managing partner, you've probably been drowning in marketing jargon like cost-per-click, cost-per-lead, and ROAS. But let's be completely real — all of that is meaningless if it isn't bringing actual paying clients through your door and keeping your firm profitable.

In this unfiltered episode of the Above the Legal Limit: After 5 series, law partners Justin Chopin and Phil Lorio strip away the corporate fluff over a glass of Macallan 12. They break down exactly How You Track ROI to scale your business sustainably. True return on investment isn't about how many times your phone rings; it's about knowing exactly how many customers you sign, which specific campaign they came from, and the precise cost it took to acquire them.

Justin and Phil also tackle the hard truths of running a growing firm: how to hold your team accountable, when to invest in software, and why you might be the bottleneck in your own business.

🥃 In this episode, you'll discover:

• The Secret in the Sauce: The exact data points and CRM software you must invest in to track real, tangible growth. Learn why tracking every call and attributing it to specific digital campaigns is non-negotiable.
• Team Profitability: How to bluntly calculate employee ROI. Find out what it actually costs to keep a seat filled, and how to know if your team members are treading water or making the firm money.
• People vs. Process: How to diagnose an underperforming team member. Are they not working hard enough, or have you failed to set clear expectations? Figure out if you have a people problem or a system flaw.
• The Cost of Fear: Why waiting too long to fire someone or being afraid to make tough decisions is the biggest risk to your firm's growth. Stop letting fear, emotion, or rushed decisions run your business.

Hit play right now to get the raw data strategies and leadership insights you need to master your metrics!

Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode with another business owner who needs to hear it.

How do you build one of the largest personal injury law firms in the country?

In this episode of Above the Legal Limit, host Justin Chopin sits down with renowned personal injury attorney Angel Reyes, founder of Angel Reyes & Associates, to discuss his journey from Big Law and Wall Street to building a high-volume personal injury practice that serves thousands of clients every month.

Angel shares how representing underserved Spanish-speaking communities helped shape his firm's growth, why taking cases others overlooked became a competitive advantage, and how embracing digital marketing transformed the way his firm acquires clients.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ Why leaving a prestigious legal career was the best decision Angel ever made

✅ How a single personal injury case helped launch a 30+ year legal career

✅ The power of serving niche and underserved markets

✅ How digital marketing changed the personal injury industry

✅ The keys to scaling a law firm while maintaining culture and client service

✅ Leadership lessons from managing a high-growth legal practice

Whether you're a personal injury attorney, law firm owner, entrepreneur, or business leader, this conversation is packed with insights on law firm growth, legal marketing, entrepreneurship, leadership, and long-term success.

Subscribe for more interviews with successful attorneys, legal industry leaders, and business professionals.

How do successful attorneys and business owners achieve work-life balance without sacrificing growth?

In this episode of Above the Legal Limit After 5, Justin Chopin shares practical insights on law firm growth, burnout prevention, time management, and building a sustainable career. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience practicing law and running a successful firm, Justin discusses the realities of balancing professional success with personal priorities.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ Why work-life balance looks different at every stage of your career

✅ How setting clear boundaries can help prevent burnout

✅ The importance of protecting time for family, health, and personal growth

✅ When to delegate tasks and stop doing everything yourself

✅ How law firm owners and entrepreneurs can buy back their time to focus on growth

Whether you're a lawyer, law firm owner, entrepreneur, or business professional, this conversation offers valuable insights into leadership, productivity, career development, and long-term success.

Subscribe for more discussions on law firm management, legal industry insights, business growth strategies, leadership, and professional development.